The Grammy nominations are out, and as often happens, the list is rather rife with surprises, with what might have seemed more central fare often edged out (with telling exceptions such as Simon Rattle's Rite of Spring). Relatively small labels like 2L and ArtistShare have multiple nominations, while indie giants like Harmonia Mundi, Hyperion and BIS getting few or one. Or none.

That said, the classical industry will cheer a posthumous nomination for the late Colin Davis. And the amount of exposure for new music is vital for classical music's future (Thomas Adès' opera The Tempest even gets nominated for its second recording in quick succession, following the world premiere issue on EMI). And there will be mixed, and deep, emotions about a nomination for the beleaguered Minnesota Orchestra--genuine delight tinged with genuine sadness at the band's continuing travails.

The classical nominations are...

Best Album Notes -- Waving the classical flag, Jonathan Cott's notes for Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring in Sony's reissue of the Bernstein/New York Phil recording. Nice to see the wordsmiths getting a cheer.

Best Historical Album -- Classical's nod comes with the deluxe edition of the Solti Ring, which seems about right given that this is a big anniversary year for that era-defining Wagner set.